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Supreme Court Disqualifies Tejashwi Yadav from 2025 Bihar Elections

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 3:22 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Supreme Court Verdict Casts a Long Shadow Over Bihar’s 2025 Elections

The Supreme Court’s recent verdict on the 2025 Bihar election case has sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape, especially for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and its charismatic leader, Tejashwi Yadav. The ruling, delivered on June 5, 2025, declares Tejashwi Yadav disqualified from contesting the upcoming legislative assembly elections, citing violations of the Representation of People’s Act and the Constitution’s anti-corruption provisions. The decision comes after a protracted legal battle that began in 2023, when the High Court in Patna issued an order questioning Tejashwi’s eligibility following allegations of misuse of public office.

The Legal Background

• Initial Allegations: In late 2022, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opened a case against Tejashwi Yadav for allegedly diverting government funds meant for social welfare schemes to personal accounts. The case was tied to a 2019 audit that flagged irregularities in the allocation of subsidies to the Kosi region.

• High Court Intervention: The Patna High Court, in February 2023, temporarily barred Tejashwi from contesting elections until the CBI case was resolved. RJD challenged the order in the Supreme Court, arguing that the decision was “arbitrary” and “politically motivated.”

• Supreme Court’s Review: On May 15, 2025, the Supreme Court granted a stay on the High Court’s decision, allowing Tejashwi to file his nomination papers. However, the Court made it clear that a full hearing would take place once the CBI filed its final report.

The Verdict: Key Points

1. Disqualification Under Section 164(1)(c)
   The Court cited Section 164(1)(c) of the Constitution, which states that a person is disqualified from being elected if they are convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude. The Court found that the CBI’s preliminary report indicated that Tejashwi’s actions met this criterion.

2. Violation of the Representation of People’s Act (RPA)
   The Court found that Tejashwi’s use of public office to facilitate private transactions breached RPA Section 13, which prohibits public officials from engaging in activities that could create a conflict of interest.

3. Failure to Address Allegations Promptly
   The Court was critical of Tejashwi’s delay in providing the CBI with necessary documents, noting that he had “failed to act within the stipulated time frame set by the court” and thereby “exercised the power of the office in a manner detrimental to the public interest.”

4. Remedial Measures
   The verdict allows for a one-year suspension from contesting elections, with the possibility of an appeal within 15 days. The Court directed the Election Commission to update the electoral rolls to reflect Tejashwi’s ineligibility.

Reactions From Key Stakeholders

• Tejashwi Yadav and RJD
  In a hastily released statement, Tejashwi said, “This is a politically engineered verdict that will not hold after a proper appeal.” RJD’s spokesperson, Anil Kumar Gupta, urged party members to “stand united” and called for a “massive rally” in Patna to protest the decision.

• BJP and Opposition
  The Bharatiya Janata Party welcomed the verdict, stating it “upholds the rule of law and ensures that leaders are held accountable.” A senior BJP MP, Keshav Singh, announced a celebratory gathering at the Raj Bhavan.

• Legal Analysts
  Commentators like Dr. Sushma Rao, a constitutional law professor, praised the Court for “asserting the judiciary’s role as a guardian against political abuse of power.” She warned that this could set a precedent for future cases involving political figures.

• General Public and Civil Society
  On social media, the verdict sparked a polarized debate. Supporters of Tejashwi posted memes accusing the Court of “political bias,” while civil society groups applauded the “victim of corruption” narrative.

Implications for the 2025 Bihar Elections

• RJD’s Strategy Shake-Up
  With Tejashwi removed from the ballot, RJD is scrambling to field a credible candidate in Nawada and other key constituencies. Analysts suggest the party may nominate Shri Krishna Yadav, a senior party worker known for his grassroots work, though his name has not yet appeared in any official document.

• Election Commission’s Role
  The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been instructed to amend the candidate lists, which could delay the finalization of the electoral roll. The ECI’s Election Commissioner, Arun Mishra, has indicated that all affected parties will be given a short window to file objections.

• Voter Sentiment
  Opinion polls indicate that Tejashwi’s disqualification may split his traditional voter base. Some voters see it as a vindication of anti-corruption efforts; others perceive it as a political coup that weakens the opposition to the ruling party.

• Future Legal Challenges
  Tejashwi’s legal team is reportedly preparing a Supreme Court appeal on the grounds that the Court misinterpreted the evidence. If the appeal is dismissed, Tejashwi could still seek a retrial in a lower court, but the process would likely run beyond the electoral deadline.

Looking Ahead

The Supreme Court’s verdict marks a watershed moment in Bihar’s political drama, underscoring the judiciary’s willingness to intervene in electoral matters when corruption allegations surface. Whether Tejashwi Yadav can overturn the decision remains uncertain, but the ruling has undeniably altered the power dynamics heading into the 2025 elections.

For RJD, the immediate challenge lies in rallying support around a new front‑line candidate while mitigating the perception of a “broken” party. For the BJP and the broader opposition coalition, this verdict provides a moral boost, but the upcoming election will ultimately test whether legal victories translate into electoral success.

As the political calendar tightens, all eyes will remain on the Supreme Court’s subsequent orders, the Election Commission’s updates, and Tejashwi’s next move—each a critical piece in the unfolding saga of Bihar’s 2025 elections.